Japan raids beer giants over alleged price cartel
Japanese authorities have raided the offices of four major beer manufacturers, including Asahi and Kirin, over allegations of a price-fixing cartel. The companies are suspected of colluding to raise beverage prices in violation of anti-monopoly laws.
Why it matters
This investigation impacts the majority of Japan's beer market and highlights regulatory efforts to curb anti-competitive behavior in the consumer goods sector.
Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries, and Suntory are under investigation over suspicions they colluded to hike beverage prices in a violation of anti-monopoly laws.
Cans of beer are pictured at the Asahi Group Holdings' Ibaraki Brewery, which produces about 5.9 million cans of beer daily, during a media tour of the facility in Moriya city, Ibaraki Prefecture on Sep 7, 2026. (File photo: AFP/Philip Fong)
TOKYO: Japanese authorities raided four major beer manufacturers on Wednesday (Oct 7) over suspicions they colluded to hike beverage prices in a violation of anti-monopoly laws, a source familiar with the matter and the firms said.
Under investigation are Asahi Breweries, Kirin Brewery, Sapporo Breweries, and Suntory - four giants that reportedly make up around 90 per cent of Japan's beer market share.
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